Elizabeth J Musgrave

Karen Irwin tore up the stage at The Cabaret at The Columbia Club July 25 and 26. The Indianapolis native is well known for her bluesy rasp vocals and excellent coverage of Janis Joplin tunes. So popular is Irwin, the entire weekend was sold out for both performances, matching her prior visit to this stage.

The old sayings, 'You've got to see it to believe it,' and 'You either get 'IT'or you don't,' are certainly sayings that could be (and probably are) applied to WICKED. With its 10th anniversary this year, and nine current productions performing around the globe, I must say I was completely surprised during intermission. A gentleman sitting in front of me struck up a conversation and nonchalantly stated he had bought the ticket on a whim while in town for business ~ with no clue what the show was about. He had no idea it was in reference to Wizard of Oz and had no anticipation. He was simply ready to enjoy a live theater production and that was what caught his eye online. Wow. The winner of more than 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, was unknown to this gentleman. Naturally, I reflected back to my first time of seeing it in Chicago, and the subsequent reviews of 'Wicked' I have written ~ each one a totally different experience and finding different aspects most notable. At my first experience, I was blown away ~ as almost everyone is. The second, I noticed the nods to the book, film and characters. At my third, I noticed, and wrote about, the symbolism transportation played ~ in this review (REVIEW: WICKED 2010). After seeing any show several times, the viewer naturally compares the actors and have those they feel most closely fit the bill, the ones they believe most talented, etc. This production stars Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba and Hayley Podschun as Glinda. If you are a fan of Kristin Chenoweth and, frankly, who isn't? ~ then, you will absolutely adore Podschun. She practically radiates on stage during 'Popular,' drawing ecstatic applause from the engaged audience. Naturally, DiNoia's rendition of the power ballad won thunderous applause. It is definitely one of DiNoia's finer moments in the performance. Her other being the duet, 'What is this Feeling?' with Podschun as the two opposing witches realize how much they loathe each other. The main issue with anyone stepping into the sparkly shoes of Glinda or the work boots of Elphaba in the musical loosely based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is they are attempting to fill seriously talented footsteps. Even those who have not (gasp) seen the musical, have more than likely heard of the Broadway originators of the roles ~ Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (read review of her solo performance here). And therein lies the problem. Can anyone ever make the role truly their own, while compared to the greats at every turn? Probably not. At least not for another 10 years. It would be equivalent to performing a role so well the audience forgets Judy Garland (The Wizard of Oz), Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera), or Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean). Whether a stage or screen production, some performers become the standard for all others after them. A tough act. With that said, it's like being in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. No, you aren't No. 1 or 2, but you're still in the top percentile. Nothing to be upset over. Bottom Line: Whether this is your first, or 15th time, Wicked is a must-see anytime it is in town. Performance Schedule There is no performance on Thanksgiving Day,Thursday, November 28. November 13-17: Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday matinee at 2:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 19-24: Tuesday -Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 26 - December 1: Monday - Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm. Click here for information on $25 ticket lottery for Wicked in Indianapolis. Images: provided by BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Joan Marcus Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy's Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

I do not think it is out of line to say Les Miserables has been the most anticipated production on the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre's 2013 lineup. Some hoping it would be great, others certain it would not be.

Menopause the Musical opens at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre this week to the sound of an audience gone wild. Who knew menopausal-age women (and their menfolk, by the way) could be so energetic and exuberant?

Two-time Grammy Award winner Sylvia McNair lights up the IRT stage in A Little Night Music.

Chicago the musical, one of theater's favorites, returns to the stage in Indianapolis at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.

The Indy Fringe Festival's popular show states it boldly in the title, 465: Sex Drive...a musical. So no one mistakenly shows up with children for a performance about Indianapolis' loop around the city, perhaps? During the carpool trip around the city's loop and throughout a therapy session for the five sex addicts, streets, neighborhoods and parks are mentioned as great places for various sexual encounters.

When is a greeting card more than a greeting card? When it spawns a commercially successful international sensation known as Nunsense, one of off-Broadway's most commercially successful shows. Six sequels, three spin offs and a television show followed quickly. Originating from Dan Goggin's line of nun-based humorous cards, the popular Little Sisters of Hoboken convened once again on stage at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis.

Mr. Tom Wopat jauntily ambled onto the poshest stage in town, The Cabaret at The Columbia Club, Indianapolis. The three-time Tony Award-nominee ('99, '08, '11) of stage and screen shared samples from his musical works, including his most recent CD, Tom Wopat: Consider it Swung.

Two performers step into the Gotta Go Spotlight by standing out with the energy and enthusiasm brought to their roles. Curry, whose version of Professor Marvel was a little quiet and sedate, delighted the audience with his animated style as the Wizard. Portraying the phony wizard with just the right amount of vulnerability and sweetness, Curry creates a very likable character.

In a pleasantly bizarre, Sesame Street-meets-The Breakfast Club kind of way, Avenue Q gets its point across.

Whether gracefully lounging across a polished piano, sassing up a self-deprecating joke or sharing a tender thought about husband, David Forsell, the chanteuse lights up the stage and heart.

With devil-may-care good looks and obvious merriment at being such a scoundrel, Clark is pure joy to watch ... while conning the entire town.

While the spouses are away, the wives are at play ... with martinis, Champagne, and various smart cocktails in an attempt to numb their deepest romantic desires for heartthrob Maurice.